Chapter Twenty-Seven

Coming To Terms With The Truth

~~Elaina's POV~~

Strange dreams float across my mind. Just as I try and concentrate on one, another takes it place. In every dream however, I keep spotting the same woman over and over again, running. She had dark long hair and was wearing a dark blue dress.

As the dream changes again, the woman is now wearing a gold headdress with little jewels around it and is now running through the forest. I watch on as she glances down at what she is holding and realise she is now holding a child.

I was most surprised to see Lady Galadriel waiting patiently for the other woman to get to her. The woman took a moment with the child who was looking up at her and gently kissed her temple. It appeared she was whispering something in the child's ear.

By now the woman was besides herself and had tears fall down her cheeks. She placed her child in Lady Galadriel's open arms who held the child protectively. Then I watch on as the woman went round her neck and unclasped her necklace, before handing over the necklace to Galadriel.

I caught sight of the necklace and was stunned. It was exactly like the one I was wearing. A blue topaz jewel. With great clarity, I realised in an instant, that this woman in front of me, was my birth mother Alasse and the child was me!

As the dream faded to black, all these thoughts swirled around my head. Why did she give me up? Who was she running away from and what had she whispered before handing me over to Lady Galadriel?

Why was I remembering now? That made no sense to me, though I really wanted to know what happened next, no matter how painful it may become.

"You really have been through the wars haven't you, my dear?"

I opened my eyes and slowly sat up, I knew I was back on cloud city. Sitting opposite me was Zeus, sitting on what appears to be his throne. He was leaning forward, studying me, which I found rather off putting.

I don't answer him, as I felt completely numb. Zeus continues watching me before he spoke once more.

"Why the silent treatment? Normally you have quite the mouth on you!"

I refuse to look or speak to him but I was startled when a teardrop escaped my right eye. I quickly brush it away, not wanting Zeus to see that I was weak. Only, he had noticed and if I had looked up, I would have seen the sadness in his blue eyes.

~~Zeus's POV~~

Elaina's quietness was worrying me. Where was the lady that only a little while ago, was fighting Thorin's nemesis. I had missed most of the battle until the end. I watched Elaina fight to save Thorin's life. I knew she was no match for him 'yet' but she did put up a very impressive display.

Seeing Azog, hurt my daughter had really angered me. I should have intervened and I would have had I not noticed The Lord of the eagles and the other eagles, swoop down and grab each of the party away from Azog.

Earlier I had been speaking to Poseidon about Elaina and her whereabouts. I knew my brother was now on Middle-earth, healing her body but seeing her soul, was another matter entirely.

I knew a friend of hers was needed here and against my better judgement, I summomed him.

~~Elaina's POV~~

What was I doing back here? That's what I wanted to know. All I remember is feeling very sick and achy. That and the fact, I did not have the strength to open my eyes. I could hear Oin calling out my name but I just could not answer him back. That's all I could remember.

Still feeling Zeus's eyes on me, I turned my head, I did not want his satisfaction that his daughter was showing her weak side. I really wanted of this cloud, back to those that truly cared about me.

"Elaina!" I heard Zeus say, but I try and ignore him, I wasn't in the mood to speak to anyone "Elaina, what has upset you?"

Strong pair of arms wrap around me and at first I flinch, until I heard his voice.

"Elaina!"

I tentatively glanced up and saw Thorin. look back at me with worry etched on his face. Not saying anything, I leaned on his chest, feeling his arms tighten around me.

"What have you done to her?" shouted Thorin.

"You do well not to raise your voice at me Thorin son of Thrain," Zeus reprimanded "I did not summom you for you to use your anger at me...I was hoping you could shed some light here. Elaina, seems lost!"

I felt Thorin shift a little and gently pulled me so that he could see my face. My eyes were downcast though and refused to look up. I felt his hand gently cup my chin, lifting my head up, though I still do not meet his gaze.

"I know not how I came here," began Thorin gently "but I would have a guess that this is the place you were in before."

I nod my head in acknowledgement. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Thorin look back at Zeus.

"I know this is your realm, but could I speak to Elaina in private please!"

I heard Zeus sigh.

"Very well, but I am not at all happy with this arrangement!"

I watch Zeus get up glance at me once more before disappearing from sight. Thorin wraps his arms around my middle and placed his forehead on mine.

"Please tell me what's wrong?" whispered Thorin.

I swallowed hard, unsure what to say. I had never felt so low before and I hated feeling like this.

o0o

~~Loki's POV~~

When I heard the voice of Zeus, I knew it had something to do with Elaina. Since Poseidon had used his watery skills, Elaina has failed to wake up. The wound that Azog inflicted on her has healed and the scratches on her face are now fading too, as were Thorin's. Yet still she has not stirred.

Hetti and Bilbo have never left her side since Thorin was summomed by Zeus, even Gandalf was keeping watch on Elaina's condition. Poseidon was currently snoozing against a tree, while most of the others were searching for something to eat and restacking the logs for the camp fire.

I return my attention back on Elaina before my eyes went on Hetti. She was pressing a wet cloth against Elaina's forehead, willing her to wake up. I couldn't take my eyes of her. She was getting to me. Ever since I defended Hetti from that vile fat goblin, my thoughts kept going towards her.

I frowned, I couldn't think of her like that. Hetti was just an acquaintance, a sister to Elaina. I was still trying to understand why I acted the way I did, when that now dead goblin wanted her. She was just a mortal after all. My frown increased, hating feeling like this.

My eyes follow Hetti as she walks away from the others. She was holding the cloth and I realised she was heading towards the river to re-damp the cloth for Elaina. Without thinking about it, I slowly followed her.

The company around me are keeping themselves occupied as I descend towards Hetti. She surprised me when she carried on walking a little further, away from the camp, until she finally stopped walking and bent down towards the river and placed the cloth in the water.

Hetti stays where she is for a while and I was wondering what was taking her so long. It was when she sniffed when I realised she was upset. I slowly went up to her and without saying a word, I wrapped my arm around her shoulder 'shhing' her when she realised she had been caught out.

"Let it out," I whispered "You shouldn't bottle up emotions pet."

She startled me when she turned her body around and wrapped her arms around my torso, resting her head on my chest. I slowly found myself holding her back protectively.

'She is a mortal!' I thought to myself, trying to figure out what was bothering me.

o0o

~~Thorin's POV~~

I really did not like seeing Elaina like this, so distant and quiet. I kissed the corner of her mouth, relieved to hear a sigh from her. I loosened my hold of her and gently cupped her face, my eyes never left hers.

"Please let me in my angel," I urged her "Are you in pain?"

"Sort of!" Elaina whispered and I watch her in shock "Not that sort of pain Thorin."

"Then please explain what the matter is," I replied "How can I help you if your not willing to let me in!"

"I'm sorry!"

"You have nothing to be sorry for," I gently stroke her cheek with my thumb "I just don't like seeing you like this! Please tell me!"

She sighed then nodded her head.

o0o

~~Loki's POV~~

"Seeing Elaina like that," began Hetti breaking me out of my thoughts "echos the foster home! Unresponsive, refusing to wake up...What if she never wakes up?"

I pulled her a little so that I could see Hetti's face.

"Elaina is alright Hetti."

She gave me a strange look and despite myself I grin at her.

"Her body is here," I began, hoping she was just as intelligent as Elaina is "though her soul is in another realm. She's with her real father Zeus as is Thorin, which is strange."

"Why is it strange?"

"It is very rare for mortals to visit Mount Olympus Hetti. Thorin is a mortal. It is quite strange that Zeus himself summoned him. Unless of course, he has already accepted Thorin. After all, Thorin is very protective of Elaina!"

"Even I know Thorin loves Elaina, Loki," remarked Hetti, rolling her green eyes "of course he will be protective of her! One does when you want to be there for them!"

I don't say anything. I was processing what she had just said.

"Was Elaina in Mount Olympus when the trouble started at the foster home?" asked Hetti, more to herself but I heard her "It could explain that light that night!"

I smile down at her, Hetti really did have an excellent memory. I just wished Elaina could remember her own memories. I realised I had missed what Hetti had said next and it showed on my face. She sighed then repeated what she had just said.

"Thank you for defending me back in that awful cave. I know I should have said it earlier, but with what-,"

"Ah but you did," I interrupted her "I heard your thoughts a little while ago."

We watch one another in complete silence and again I was asking myself why I was by this lady's side. Was it because she was Elaina's friend and sister or something else entirely?

A sound of a twig snapping caused me to turn around and saw Kili glaring at me. I just smirked at him as his attention went on Hetti, who seemed to be unaware of Kili's scowl.

"Are you alright Hetti?" asked Kili, which resulted me to roll my eyes "Only you have been gone a while!"

"As you can see, Hetti is fine!" I point out.

"I wasn't asking you." snapped Kili.

I was not stupid, I knew Kili liked Hetti but I knew she had no idea of his attention and I was shocked to realise that, I was rather happy about that. Without any warning, I more or less dragged Hetti back to the others.

"Loki what are you doing?" Hetti cried out, holding onto her damp cloth in her right hand.

"Elaina will need a friendly face when she is back with us!" I lied, holding her wrist tightly.

I heard Kili tut behind me but I act like he isn't there. The sooner Hetti was back with the company, the sooner I could concentrate on something else, that isn't Hetti related.

o0o

~~Elaina's POV~~

I felt Thorin's piecing blue eyes watch me intently, waiting for me to tell him what was on my mind. Taking a deep breath I began.

"While fighting Azog," I felt Thorin tighten his hold on me "he gloated that he killed my mother and I know he speaks the truth because of that dream!"

"Dream," asked Thorin gently "or was it a vision?"

At first I stayed silent, mulling what Thorin had said. The dream I had of my mother had felt lifelike. My hand went around the necklace I was wearing and I realised something.

"It wasn't a dream," I murmured "It was a memory!"

"Elaina, you are not making any sense. What was a memory?"

Slowly, I explained what I saw before waking up here. About my mother running away with me in her arms. My mother reluctantly handing me over to Lady Galadriel and the necklace that now rests around my neck.

When I finally stopped talking, my mind went on Azog himself. I knew I had seen him before, but it was still a little hazy around the edges. Trying to piece the picture back together was tougher then I first thought. Thorin snapped me out of my thoughts by kissing my temple whispering soothing words to me, while holding me.

All I did in return, was hold his waist a little tighter. We both heard movement and instinctively turned our heads and saw Zeus sitting back on his throne watching the pair of us carefully.

"At least you are speaking once again Elaina!" remarked Zeus, which I frowned at.

"How much did you hear?" I asked him.

His silence confirmed my suspicion that he had heard everything I had said to Thorin and that angered me. Facing Thorin once more I asked Zeus a question that has been bugging me for a while now.

"Were you aware of my mother's fate?"

"Yes!" was his answer and I exhaled deeply, trying to keep my bearings together.

I faced him again.

"Did you help her in any way?"

"Elaina, it happened to fast for me to react!"

"Yet you were quick enough to help my men and I while we were held captive by those goblins!" sneered Thorin.

I look at Thorin to see if he was serious or not, the way he was watching Zeus however, told me he was speaking the truth.

"That was different Thorin, I would always help out when I am needed!" said Zeus.

"But not my mother!" I hissed at him.

"Elaina, I could not be in two places at the same time!"

"What were you doing?"

Zeus sighed but remained quiet.

"What were you doing?" I repeated, trying to control my emotions.

"I was protecting you!" replied Zeus finally "At that foster home you used to live in, you were about to get killed by those 'Messengers.' With a little of your power, we combined forces and attacked it, thus destroying one of them. Only something went wrong!"

I watch Zeus not understanding what he was talking about, but it seemed Thorin had understood.

"Elaina's memory lapses!"

I look back at Thorin then at Zeus who was slowly nodding his head. Thorin's arm tightened around my middle while I was trying to take this all in.

"I had hoped your memory would return on it's own accord," began Zeus "but unfortunately that never happened! Until now that is...Your past memories are slowly coming back Elaina. You seeing Alasse handing your younger self to the Lady Galadriel over proves that!"

"May we go now?" I asked him.

I really didn't want to hear anymore. I just wanted to be back in Middle-earth, where I was among people I completely trusted.

"Elaina, I know your upset!"

"Upset," I spat "Try livid! Did your guards try and help my mother?"

Zeus never said a word so I continued.

"Couldn't they have helped my mother out?"

"We had our own problems Elaina!"

"Oh, do tell!" I scoffed.

I was really angry now and if Thorin wasn't by my side, I had no idea what I would have done.

"The Messengers were in my kingdom Elaina. They were searching for you. We were under attack...Everything was in anarchy. While I was protecting you, my soldiers were dealing with these outsiders. By the time I realised what had happened to Alasse, it was to late!"

"You should have explained all this from the very beginning!" I point out "Instead, you were picking on Loki and repeating yourself, saying I look so much like my mother!"

"Oh but you do!"

I roll my eyes, hearing Zeus soft chuckle.

"You were not ready then Elaina," carried on Zeus "Our first meeting was a little sureal, don't you think?"

I didn't answer him, I was to worked up.

"Very soon," began Zeus his eyes focused on Thorin now "you will have to meet with an old acquaintance. I suggest you try and keep your temper in check!"

"What do you mean?" asked Thorin "What acquaintance?"

"You'll find out soon enough." replied Zeus.

I knew he would say no more on this matter but I could tell Thorin was just as puzzled as I was.

"I also suggest that you hone your skills Elaina!"

I look at him, completely lost.

"Ask Loki to help with your telepathy then-," Zeus looks back at Thorin who was even more puzzled by these new turn of events "you and Thorin can speak in thought without anyone listening in!"

I knew then, that he was trying to prepare me with something. When I returned my attention back on Thorin, I was a little surprised to see him smile at me.

"You can read minds my angel?"

"I've never tried before," I admitted "It was Loki that was entering my mind!"

"Elaina just open your mind," said Zeus "you will soon get used to it. However," I listen to what Zeus was saying "when someone other than friends and loved ones are trying to enter your mind, keep your mind blank or imagine a brick wall."

"I don't understand!" I reply.

"There are some out there who will try and read your mind without your consent. You will be aware of this and that is your cue to fight the intruder out. That goes for you too Thorin. The bond between my daughter and you have strengthened." Zeus watched the pair of us with a smile on his face "I am actually surprised you haven't tried thought talk already!" laughed Zeus.

I heard Thorin's low chuckle as we both get up from the cloud floor. His arm still held tightly around my middle.

"We will meet again, my daughter." grinned Zeus.

o0o

I slowly open my eyes hearing chatter among me. At first I wonder where I am until I hear Bilbo's relieved sigh.

"Elaina, oh am I happy to see you back with us my dear."

"Bilbo!" was all I said and gently cup his cheek, reassuring him that I would be alright.

I slowly sit up, noticing everyone head towards me. Thorin more or less ran up to me and knocked me back down with his strength.

"I know we were on that cloud," breathed Thorin "but I am so relieved to be back here, with you by side."

"Your actually on top of me, not by your side!" I point out, seeing him roll his blue eyes.

"Never," began Thorin kissing my lips "ever scare me like that again, do you hear?"

"Loud and clear!"

"Seeing you like that in that strange city, I never want to see that again!"

"What was the matter?" asked Gandalf, listening in.

Thorin turned and looked at Gandalf.

"Elaina was very unresponsive at first, she wasn't even speaking to her father," Thorin returned his gaze to me "It is up to my angel to fill you in with the rest!"

We watch one another and I could see the relief on his handsome face. I gently touch his cheek, seeing him lean in to my touch and I had to try and do what Zeus had suggested as Thorin closed his eyes.

'Men lananubukhs menu,.' I thought to him.

Thorin reopened his eyes and smiled lovingly at me.

'I love you too.' He thought back.

I smile back at him surprised this telepathy had worked on us. A soft cough brought us both back to the present and reluctantly Thorin moved to my side. Though he refused to let me go as we both look up at Gandalf and a newcomer I had never seen before.

"It is good to see you are back with us Elaina, you had us all worried!" said Gandalf.

"I'm sorry!" I whispered, not knowing what else to say as my eyes went back on the grining stranger.

"I expect your wondering who our guest is, yes?" smiled Gandalf.

"Um, a friend of yours Gandalf!" I asked him.

Gandalf and the newcomer roared with laughter and I glanced at Thorin with a quizzical frown. He just smiled at me, which was confusing me more.

"I like to think we are all friends now," said the stranger "after all, it's not every day I see my niece."

"Niece?"

"I'm Poseidon, Zeus's brother meaning-,"

"Your my uncle!" I finished for him, seeing Poseidon smile warmly at me.

"If it wasn't for Poseidon," began Thorin watching me "You would still be unconscious from your wounds," Thorin's gaze went back on Poseidon "I thank you for saving my angel's life."

"Think nothing of it Thorin, I always help out family," He replied "When you are completely healed Elaina, I would like a private word with you."

I nod my head as he turns and walks away from us. I could tell at once that Poseidon was the polar opposite to my father.

'I have a uncle.' I thought hearing Loki's chuckle.

My eyes met Loki's and he came over straight away, as I felt Thorin's arm tighten around me. It was aparrent Thorin was not going to leave my side for a while and I was quite happy about that.

"It is good to see you are back with the rest of us, Elaina," smiled Loki "With the exception of Thorin, Hetti and Gandalf, I had no one to poke fun at!"

"Really, you poked fun at Thorin here?"

I looked at Thorin who only rolled his eyes narrowing his eyes at Loki who only laughed. I returned my attention back on Loki and I asked him to help me with this telepathy link. He never said a word as I explain what Zeus had said.

"Of course I will help you." replied Loki, grinning, which turned into a smile when Hetti walked past helping Bombur out.

"Is there something I should know about?" I asked him, arching my eyebrow.

"I have no idea what you are talking about!" was his reply, walking of, causing me to smile at his retreating form.

"I meant what I said," I turn and faced Thorin "I never want to see you like that again Elaina. It really frightened me."

"I'm sorry!"

"When I saw Oin try and wake you up and you didn't respond," I cupped his cheek "Life without you in my life is meaningless."

"Don't say that, you have Fili and Kili and-,"

"But not to say endearments too, hug you, love you." interrupted Thorin looking at me and my mouth.

He was about to say something else when Bombur came over with two bowls of food. I took hold of the bowls, thanking Bombur before I handed a bowl to Thorin. I slowly picked up the spoon, wondering what Thorin was going to say. I glanced at him, noticing he was still watching me with love in his eyes.

"Thor-,"

I took no notice of the bemused look I was receiving from Loki as Thorin stopped my talking with a deep kiss. I only hoped Thorin will tell me what's on his mind, in his own time.

.